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It is unclear at this stage who was in the vehicle that was rammed or if they live in the Sevenoaks area.

The police did not release any details in the aftermath of the incident other than to say they are “currently in attendance at an incident in the Sevenoaks area of Derry/Londonderry”.

A spokesman added: “Cordons have been put in place whilst officers conduct their enquiries and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.”

The burned out car

There is a large police presence in the area. Given the nature of the incident it is expected that specialist firearms will have been deployed. There are no reports as yet of any arrests having been made.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said he was called to the area shortly after 7am. He added: “It’s a settled area and people were going about their business when they say they heard two loud bangs. It isn’t clear what has happened exactly, but that shots are being fired in a residential area is crazy.

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“I know of one boy sent to the shop around the same time this happened. People could have been killed. Parents are getting kids ready for summer schemes and there’s people firing guns. It’s a shocking incident.”

At lunchtime, the police released more details on the incident.

Detective Inspector Stephanie Finlay said: “Reports were received shortly after 7am on Tuesday morning, of a number of shots being fired in the Sevenoaks area. At this time we believe a silver coloured Peugeot car rammed into a black car as it drove near the entrance to Sevenoaks.

"A number of shots are then believed to have been fired at the driver of the black car who managed to leave the area and drive to a local police station. There have been no reports of any injuries. The silver Peugeot was abandoned and set alight at Lincoln Court a short time after the incident.

“This was a completely reckless attack carried out in a residential area and we are very lucky today that no-one has been seriously hurt or killed. Our enquiries are at a very early stage and we are working to establish a motive for this incident.

"I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information which could assist us with our enquiries to contact detectives at Strand Road on 101 quoting reference number 252 24/07/18."

The detective added that witnesses can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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